1. By
Names:Subhra Pradhan-2207051800
Niyat Dipankar Panda-2207051800
Prangya Lipsa Biswal -220795180062
Abhilipsha Das -220705180071
Pragalva Priyadarshini-
220705180068
Swayumprava Behera-
220705180055
Branch-M.Sc in Zoology
Explain whole radiological procedure
s of barium meal(BARIUM
CONTRAST)
2. CONTENTS
• INTRODUCTION
• PREPARATION OF THE TEST
• WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE EXAMINATION?
• AFTER THE PROCEDURE
• RESULTS
• SIDE EFFECTS AFTER EXAMINATION
• CONCLUSION
• REFERENCES
3. INTRODUCTION
A barium meal is an examination of your
stomach and your oesophagus (or gullet), the
tube between your mouth and stomach. You
will be asked to drink a liquid that is visible on
x-ray to see what happens when you swallow.
The procedure will take place in the radiology
department and will take approximately 20
minutes.
4. PREPARATION OF THE TEST
• Please do not eat or drink for six hours before the
examination.
• If you are on medication for diabetes, please contact
your diabetic nurse for specific instructions.
• If needed, your appointment time can be changed to suit
you.
• If you are female and of childbearing capacity, you will
be asked to complete a form with the date of your last
period and whether there is any possibility you may be
pregnant. This is because this examination should only be
performed when we can be sure that you are not
pregnant.
• Please let us know as soon as possible if you have
problems standing or transferring from a wheelchair so
that we can make arrangements.
5. WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE
EXAMINATION?
• The procedure lasts about 20 minutes but we
may be at the hospital longer if we need to
see emergency patients.
• We will be asked to change into hospital gown
to make sure that there are no metal coins or
objects.
• We usually give an injection to relax the
stomach and then ask you to swallow the fizzy
powder which creates gas in your stomach.
This will make you want to burp. We will then
6. AFTER THE PROCEDURE
• No special care is necessary after the procedure and you
can return to your usual daily activities. Try to drink plenty
of fluids. Your bowel motions may be pale in colour for a
short period due to the barium.
Risks
• Radiation There is some exposure to radiation during the
procedure because x-rays are used. However, as this is a
low dose examination, exposure to radiation is kept to a
minimum. Generally, the amount of radiation you are
exposed to during this procedure is equivalent to between
a few days and a few years of exposure to natural radiation
from the environment.
Aspiration
• There is a small risk that some of the barium goes the
wrong way into your lungs. This does not usually cause any
problems but, for a small number of people, chest
7. Results
• A radiologist will examine the pictures and
will send a report to the doctor who
requested the procedure. If you were referred
by a consultant at the hospital, this report
should be available at your outpatient follow
up. If you were referred by your GP, you
should have heard from the surgery within
three weeks of your examination. If you have
not been contacted, you should check that
your GP has received your results and make a
appointment.
8. SIDE EFFECTS AFTER THE
EXAMINATION?
• Drink plenty of fluids. The barium will make
your motions whitish for the next few days
and can give you constipation.
• Keep drinking until your stools are no longer
whiter than your normal.
• Eating high fibre diet like bran or wholemeal
bread can help but the main thing is to drink
plenty.
• If you have problems with your heart or water
retention, you maynot be able to drink this
9. Conclusion
By reviewing the images taken during the barium
swallow,meal or enema tests,a radiologist can
evaluate and diagnose a wide range of problems
which may include : abnormal shape of digestive
tract,where digestive tract has become narrow
ulceration.
10. References
1.Levine MS,Rubesin SE.Radiologic investigation of
dysphagia.AJR Am J Roentgenol.1990;154(6):1157-
63.
2.Semenkovich J,Balfe D,Weyman P,Heiken J,Lee
J.Barium pharyngography: Comparison of single
and Double Contrast.AJR Am J
Roentgenol.1985;144(4):715-20.
